9
PHRASES III
1. Adjective phrase
An adjective phrase is a phrase with an adjective as head. In its simplest form an AP consists of a single adjective that
can be found in attributive, predicative, or postpositive position within a sentence as in the following examples:
•Last year we had a significant increase in profits.
•Contemporary mobile phones are not easy to use for writing emails.
•The managing director didn’t say anything controversial at the board meeting.
In an AP the head can be premodified by an adverb as in Your new multimedia project sounds really exciting.
Many adjectives are postmodified by particular prepositions followed by a NP or a VP (excited about going abroad/
angry about the news).
2. Adverb and preposition phrase
An adverb(ial) phrase is a phrase with an adverb as head. The structure of the AdvP is simple, it often consists of a
single adverb. Sometimes the head is premodified by an intensifying adverb (very kindly/quite early/extremely late).
Adverb phrases of manner, place, time and duration normally go at the end of a clause. If there is more than one
adverb phrase in a clause the usual order is: manner + place + time/duration. Some adverb phrases of manner, place
and time can also go at the beginning of a clause for special emphasis.
Adverb phrases of frequency (always, never, usually, often) normally go before a lexical verb, but after the primary
verb be or the first auxiliary of a VP as in:
•We always listen to the radio on Sunday.
•We’re always at work on time.
Adverb phrases of probability (certainly, definitely, obviously) normally go before a lexical verb but after the primary
verb be and the after the first auxiliary. In negative clauses hey normally go before the negative as in:
•I probably won’t have much to eat for breakfast.
•They’re obviously not very happy.
A preposition(al) phrase is a phrase consisting of a preposition and a noun phrase known as the object of the
preposition (OP). It gives information on place (in the office); distance (for miles); time (on Tuesday); duration (since
yesterday); manner (by car); cause (because of the snow); purpose (for sheer entertainment); and concession (despite
the difficulties).
PPs function as postmodifiers in NPs and Aps as in the lady with the blonde hair. Many head nouns in NPs are
postmodified by particular preposition (difference between the two jobs); many NPs in preposition phrases are
preceded by particular prepositions (by mistake); and many lexical verbs are followed by PPs with particular
prepositions (apologize to someone for something). They are usually known as prepositional verbs.
3. Translation problems
Transpositions are translation procedures adopted to deal with a lexical or morpho-syntactic mismatch. Some of these
changes are due to systemic differences between the source and the target language.
